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Dr. James P. Comer co-authors White House Initiative early childhood education policy paper
The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans ( WHIEEAA) and the National Black Child Development Institute ( NBCDI) co-hosted the first public discussion of the Initiative's draft paper, "Supporting and promoting African American excellence in education through early action: Commission recommendations." The report was co-authored by Dr. James P. Comer, the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center. The discussion took place at the Evelyn K. Moore Early Childhood Leadership Institute, which kicked off the NBCDI's 45th anniversary conference on October 17, 2015 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
Carla D. Thompson, Vice President for Program Strategy at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, moderated the discussion of the report with Comer and co-authors, Barbara T. Bowman, M.A., the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development at the Erikson Institute in Chicago, and David J. Johns who served as the Executive Director of the WHIEEAA since its inception in 2012.
"The Initiative is very interested in getting input from practitioners, practice leaders, and policy makers in early childhood education. There is a real effort to create a document that is informed from the service delivery level to the policy level, so that the recommendation and actions are top down and bottom up. NBCDI is an important audience to get that input because of who they are and who they serve," said Comer.
President Barack Obama signed the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans Executive Order in the Oval Office, on July 26, 2012. The Initiative is "a cross-agency effort aimed at identifying evidence-based practices that improve student achievement, and developing a national network that shares these best practices."
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New Haven Links, Inc. honors James P. Comer, MD, MPH for contributions to health and human services
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Dr. Comer and Deborah Thomas
Tom Ficklin Photo
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The New Haven Chapter of Links, Incorporated honored James P. Comer, MD, MPH for his outstanding contributions in health and human services. Deborah Thomas, chair of the Honoree Selection Committee, presented Dr. Comer with the award at their 2015 Gala and Silent Auction on November 7 at the Grassy Hill County Club in Orange, Conn.
Dorsey L. Kendrick, Ph.D., President of Gateway Community College, and Erik Clemons, CEO and President of the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology ( ConnCAT), also received the New Haven Chapter of Links Charter Members Honor Award.
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations with a membership of nearly 14,000 professional women of color in 282 chapters located in 41 states. The Links, Incorporated focus their work in five program areas: Services to Youth, National Trends & Services, International Trends & Services, the Arts, and Health and Human Services.
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Dr. Fay E. Brown featured speaker at inclusive education conference in Jamaica
Dr. Fay E. Brown, Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Child Study Center and the Director of Child and Adolescent Development for the Comer School Development Program, was a featured speaker at the 8th annual Nathan Ebanks Foundation conference on inclusive education in Jamaica. The event was held at the Montego Bay Convention Center from October 28-31, 2015.
On the first day of the conference, Dr. Brown gave an opening keynote speech on, "The whole child approach for effective teaching, learning, and development." She made the case that to support individualized learning and ensure success for every student, educators and other school personnel must take a holistic approach in their efforts to educate children.
She also did a workshop on the importance of relationships for school and classroom practices; and was slated to do the ending keynote address entitled "Putting Children at the center of education," scheduled to follow a panel discussion with students. Dr. Brown and Mrs. Christine Ebanks, convener of the conference and co-founder of the Nathan Ebanks Foundation, co-facilitated the panel of 10 high school students. According to Dr. Brown, "after the powerful, thought-provoking comments and exchanges from the students, the audience erupted with a standing ovation which left neither time nor need for an ending keynote address. Those students epitomized the title of the intended keynote."
The Nathan Ebanks Foundation® (NEF) was founded in 2007 by the parents of a child with disabilities in Jamaica, to ensure that all children, particularly those with special needs, "are included, empowered and supported to access and participate in holistic development-education - intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual - to release their full potential."
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Dr. James P. Comer receives Walter McAfee Lifetime Achievement Award from CT NAACP
By Cynthia R. Savo
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| Dr. James P. Comer and Theresa Hopkins-Staten |
Dr. James P. Comer received the Dr. Walter McAfee Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut NAACP on September 17, 2015 at The First Cathedral, Bloomfield, Connecticut. Theresa Hopkins-Staten, vice chairperson of the Connecticut State Board of Education, presented Dr. Comer with the award during a symposium to promote Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as viable feeder systems for Connecticut and other states that want to recruit more teachers of color.
Ms. Hopkins-Staten said that "Dr. Comer has been a pioneer in the field of education reform for more than a half a century. His unrelenting advocacy for the application of child development principles when endeavoring to improve the academic performance of children from poor and socially neglected communities has been transformative in those schools and districts that dare to embrace his model of success. Dr. Comer is a man of many qualities yet, the one that always stands out for me is the humble and unassuming way that he wears his innumerable accomplishments. A rare and endearing quality for an extraordinary man."
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Comer: State education chiefs should focus on development
By Cynthia R. Savo
T he Education Commission of the States (ECS) concluded its 50th anniversary celebration with a discussion about emerging trends and issues in education policy with Dr. James P. Comer, the founder and director of the School Development Program at the Yale Child Study Center, and Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust. Jeremy Anderson, president of ECS, moderated the panel, The Next 50 Years: Where do we need to go and how can we get there? on July 1, 2015 in Denver.
For their outstanding contributions to American education, Comer and Haycock received the prestigious James Bryant Conant Award from ECS which provides non-partisan information about education policy to help state leaders develop educational systems.
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In Memoriam
The Comer School Development Program at the Yale Child Study Program mourns the loss of three outstanding educators and champions for children and families: Dr. Maurice Harvey, Sherrie Berrien Joseph, and Dr. Lillie Madison Jones.
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Sherrie Berrien Joseph
Feb. 18, 1946 - October 11, 2015
Sherrie Berrien Joseph, social worker, education advocate, and consultant, passed away on Oct. 11, 2015. She held numerous positions throughout her career, including serving as an Implementation Coordinator and Director of Professional Development for the Comer School Development Program (SDP) at the Yale Child Study Center. Born Feb. 18, 1946, Sherrie was a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. Following her graduation from Gibb High School, she attended Tuskegee University. While there, she pledged the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, to which she remained active throughout her life. She was a Golden Life Member, and was slated to receive her 50-year pin at the 2017 convention.
Jan Stocklinski, a member of the Comer SDP National Faculty, represented Dr. James P. Comer and the organization at Sherrie's home going service. "If we contacted every member of our staff, or every principal, teacher, staff member, parent or child who interacted with Sherrie over the years, you would hear the words integrity, hardworking, child-centered, competent, thoughtful, caring, supportive, direct, passionate and compassionate. Her goal was always to make a better world for all children and all families," she said.
Dr. Edward T. Joyner, the former director of the Comer SDP, shared his memory of Sherrie going back to the days when he recruited her to work with the organization. He said: "I met and recruited Joseph when she was working in the Urban Education division of the New Jersey State Education Department. From 1993 to 2000, she supported implementation of the Comer model in New Jersey, Chicago, and Prince George's County, M.D."
Sherrie moved to Detroit in 2001 to support the Comer Schools and Families Initiative as the Divisional Director, Office of School Support and Intervention of the Detroit Public Schools (DPS). According to long-time colleague and friend, Dr. Alison J. Harmon, "Sherrie was a one-of-a-kind." They worked together on the Comer Schools and Families Initiative (CSFI) in 18 Detroit elementary schools. The Skillman Foundation recruited Harmon, a professor of education at CSFI partner, Eastern Michigan University as the program officer of the Initiative. In her words, "Sherrie taught me to be more collaborative, use no-fault, and consensus-decision making. We discovered how intricately our values and priorities are aligned. She has left her handprint on my heart."
Joseph was known for her infectious laugh and outgoing personality. She was also renowned for her support of children and families. Rodney Brown, M.Div., and Senior Family Engagement Coordinator of Youth Guidance, Inc. in Chicago, described Joseph as "a parent advocate par excellence. She understood the important role that parents and families play in the healthy development of children and youth. Sherrie sought to empower parents with the attitudes, perspectives, and skills that they need to successfully nurture their children."
After retiring from DPS in 2007, she moved to Atlanta and was the owner of Imani Consulting Service. At the time of her death, she was working with the Education Team of the United Way of Greater Atlanta and an active member of the Tuskegee Alumni Association, serving as treasurer.
For all of us who loved and admired her, she was gone too soon. Dr. James P. Comer, founder of the School Development Program, captured this sentiment in his remembrance of her: "It is deeply painful to lose someone who was so joyful, competent, and caring; who was still in the prime of life. She found SDP when we were struggling and gave the program a vital dose of energy, knowledge, and skills in challenging school situations. We will all be forever grateful for the help she gave us along the way. Her contribution is much appreciated. More than somebody, she helped many. Her spirit will be with us always." Click here for the tribute to Sherre Berrien Joseph by current and former Comer SDP colleagues and friends.
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Dr. Maurice Harvey
Feb. 17, 1945 - Sept. 17, 2015
Dr. Maurice Harvey, founder and active member of the Chicago Comer Principals Network, died on September 17, 2015. He was the inaugural principal of Jordan Elementary Community School (formerly Jordan Community School) in Chicago, and a 2001 recipient of the Patrick Francis Daly Memorial Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership.
In her tribute to Dr. Harvey at the celebration of his life, Joan Dameron Crisler, former principal of Dixon Elementary School, 1998 recipient of the Patrick Francis Daly Memorial Award, and co-founder of the Chicago Comer Principals Network, said that Dr. Harvey opened Jordan as a Comer school serving students who had not been successful in other neighborhood schools. "Within three years, the school's climate had improved dramatically and its academic outcomes were trending upward, despite many serious challenges," she explained.
Dr. Harvey and the staff used the Comer Process to create a culture and climate that embraced parents as partners in supporting their children's holistic development and learning. His success as a school reformer was documented in the PBS series, Making Schools Work with Hedrick Smith. Harvey candidly discusses the difficulties he faced parceling out power, in the form of shared decisions being made by specific teams of teacher, staff, and parents.
In addition to successfully implementing the Comer Process, Dr. Harvey initiated the Bears Outreach Program for the Comer Network in 1995. For 20 years, Chicago Bears players have connected meaningfully with students in each of the Network schools. One of Dr. Harvey's former students, Laken Tomlinson, is now a member of the NFL's Detroit Lions. At Jordan Community School, Laken participated in the Bears Outreach mentoring program, and credits Dr. Harvey's motivation, inspiration, leadership, caring, and belief in his ability to achieve and succeed for all that he has been able to accomplish personally and professionally.
"Dr. Maurice Harvey was not only a great man, father, brother, and friend, but also a cherished role model in the Chicago community," Tomlinson wrote in a letter to the Harvey family. "His actions in the community not alone affected the families of Chicago, but I shared a personal relationship with him as well.
"Little did he know that his selfless pursuit of making Jordan Community School a more comfortable learning environment would directly result in equipping me with the necessary tools to attend Lane Tech High School, earn a full-ride football scholarship to attend the prestigious Duke University, and then later be drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions," Tomlinson added. "All of this started with what Dr. Harvey saw in me as a 'little boy' at Jordan Community School."
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Dr. Lillie Madison Jones
Dec. 8, 1942 - Oct. 27, 2015
Dr. Lillie Madison Jones, former interim superintendent of the Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, died on October 27, 2015. She was the driving force behind the successful implementation of the Comer model shortly after the Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County school districts merged to become one system in 1993.
"For any program to be successful, it needs a champion. To me, Dr. Lillie Jones was the champion of the Comer model in Guilford County Schools. When I think of her, I link her closely to the creation of the six Developmental Pathways videos; a series that was a wonderful resource in helping many to gain a better understanding of how to view children through a developmental lens. She made an immeasurable contribution to the lives of many adults and children across the network of Comer schools," said Dr. Fay E. Brown, the Comer SDP's Director of Child and Adolescent Development.
Dr. Jones was passionate about leadership development. She participated in programs including "Leadership at the Peak" through the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs.Under her leadership, eight principals, including Jeffery German, a member of the Comer SDP National Faculty, received the prestigious Patrick Francis Daly Memorial for Excellence in Educational Leadership from Yale University.
German described Dr. Jones as "the epitome of what education and educators should be. She made everyone around her better, because she constantly reminded us of the tremendous impact we potentially could have on young people. The components of SDP that we were trained in were evident in the manner in which Dr. Jones projected daily. As a retired educator the commitment that I have towards young people today stems from those indelible characteristics that were implanted in my psyche after early interactions with Dr. Jones. I am grateful for the years of support, mentoring, and guidance that she provided to me and for all of the lives she touched. She will be missed."
With a life dedicated to serving others, Dr. Jones became an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church after retiring from the district as the interim superintendent. At the time of her death, she was a licensed, certified coach with Passion in Partnership Coaching in Charlotte, N.C., with clients nationwide. She also co-owned Full Measure Living, a coaching and consulting company, with her husband, Fred with whom she celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the week before she died.
Gwen Willis, Chief Student Services Officer in Guilford County Schools said, "Lillie was truly a special person. She always had time to listen to a person and make them feel that their opinion mattered. Lillie was a mentor to me and would always say 'hold people accountable but never take their dignity.' She was an advocate for all children and expressed her love for them in so many ways."
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Our Mission
The School Development Program is committed to the total development of all children by creating learning environments that support children's physical, cognitive, psychological, language, social, and ethical development.
Our Vision
Our vision is to help create a just and fair society in which all children have the educational and personal opportunities that will allow them to become successful and satisfied participants in family and civic life.
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Cynthia R. Savo
Editor
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